What's going on with the boat?

After ten years living on Tarquilla we have moved to land. I'm often asked if we love the house or miss the boat and the real answer is - both. We still have Tarquilla and we are open to all options at the moment as far as her future is concerned. We will carry on working on her, it would be great to be able to sail her again. The Scilly Isles, Portishead marina, Bristol harbour and Falmouth are all places we have talked about as well as many others further afield. But, on the other hand, if a family was looking for a boat, ready to do the preparation she needs and wanted to take her on then we would sell her. She is not ready to sail off into the sunset but has a lot of life left in her. If you or someone you know would be interested then please contact us. She is 3 ply cold moulded, 42 foot long, one off design built in the 1960's. She has 2 double cabins and 2 single berths, a good size saloon, a decent size galley, head and a covered cockpit. She has two engines and a full suit of sails. We have lots more photos and can provide more details or answer questions. In the meantime, this blog has come to a natural pause for now as we take on new adventures.

Black water

The ribbon has finally been cut on the new toilet and shower facilities at the marina. The portacabins we used over the winter during the work were OK. They were warm enough (when the heater was not turned off), big enough (just) and frankly they were better than nothing. The new building however is positively luxurious. We have underfloor heating, adjustable showers, hairdryers and lots of space. There are also things like heating control, motion sensitive lighting and water saving flushes; all of which are good news for saving energy and water.

The new facilities block
 
Marinas provide facilities not only to make sailors lives more pleasant but also to protect the environment. By providing nice, clean and convenient conveniences people are far more likely to use them than to release the raw sewage into the water. This reduces the potential harm to the environment, other water users and/ or the shellfish which are waiting to become someone’s sea-food supper.

 
The green-blue is a programme run jointly by the RYA and the British Marine Federation. It was set up to help water users preserve and protect the water environment. As well as providing information and advice to clubs and marinas it also gives practical advice to boat users and does a lot of research into environmental issues. They have done a lot of work promoting sustainable development and generally raising awareness of the issues of contamination, pollution and looking after the water.


The beautiful Plymouth Sound
 
In many European countries boats have to be fitted with holding tanks to collect waste which is then pumped out at special facilities. In Britain it is not a requirement in older boats, although it is recommended. All new boats built since 1996 have to have holding tanks. We do have a separating/composting toilet on Tarquilla but it is more suited to anchoring. Once alongside we use the marina facilities (when we can). We don't have a washing machine or shower on board which reduces our grey water. Our kitchen sink does however, drain straight into the water and it certainly forces you to consider what goes down it.

 
Toilet facilities and black water are big issues for sailors. Living on the water gives you a connection which makes it hard to not want to look after the world you are in. Knowing that the waste being released from your home is going straight into the water you are living in makes you think. When water is locked (behind lock gates – St Malo, Bristol or St Nazaire for example), trapped by a sill (Carteret) or there is very little tide (nowhere we have been yet!) boats using sea toilets can be a real problem. The introduction of holding tanks in all vessels and the rise in use of composting or separating toilets is making a difference to the health of our oceans. The building of good facilities in marinas is also part of this vital work improving the water for everyone who uses it.



 
 
 

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